NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Tires complaints
39 reportsClear category filter138,000 miles · Aug 21, 2016
StructureSuspensionTires
I BOUGHT MY RANGER 12 MONTHS AGO. 6 MONTHS AGO I NOTICED THE BED OF THE TRUCK WAS STARTING TO LEAN TO THE LEFT. ALSO THE SPARE TIRE CAME UP MISSING. I THOUGHT IT WAS STLOLEN BUT UPON INSPECTION IT HAD SIMPLY RUSTED THE HOLDER UNDER THE TRUCK AND FALLEN OFF. 3 MONTHS AGO THE TRUCK STARTED MAKING A GRINDING NOISE UPON BRAKING. THE…
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I BOUGHT MY RANGER 12 MONTHS AGO. 6 MONTHS AGO I NOTICED THE BED OF THE TRUCK WAS STARTING TO LEAN TO THE LEFT. ALSO THE SPARE TIRE CAME UP MISSING. I THOUGHT IT WAS STLOLEN BUT UPON INSPECTION IT HAD SIMPLY RUSTED THE HOLDER UNDER THE TRUCK AND FALLEN OFF. 3 MONTHS AGO THE TRUCK STARTED MAKING A GRINDING NOISE UPON BRAKING. THE RIGHT FRONT A ARM HAD RUSTED AND BROKEN OFF THE FRAME. A MECHANIC HAD TO WELD A PIECE OF METAL TO THE FRAME BECAUSE THERE WAS NOTHING TO WELD TO. THEN I FINALLY DECIDED TO LOOK UNDER THE TRUCK AND WAS SHOCKED AT WHAT I FOUND. THE BED FLOOR WAS NEARLY NON EXCISTANT. RUSTED ALMOST COMPLETELY GONE. THE SPRING SHACKLE ON THE RIGHT WHICH IS ATTACHED TO FRAME WITH A BRACKET WERE STICKING UP AGAINST THE BED LINER, THE BRACKET COMPLETELY GONE. THE TUBE THAT HOLDS THE RIGHT SHOCK ABSORBER IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OFF, THE SHOCK ABSORBER JUST HANGING THERE. MECHANICS HAVE TOLD ME THERES NO WAY TO REPAIR BECAUSE THERES NO VIABLE METAL LEFT TO WELD TO. ITS SIMPLY RUSTED AWAY. SO NOW IM LEFT WITH OVER 3 MORE YEARS OF CAR PAYMENTS ON A VEHICLE THAT'S USELESS. I WILL UPLOAD PICTURES AS SOON AS I CAN. THANK YOU. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10897471
113,500 miles · Apr 2, 2015
SuspensionTires
THE SPARE TIRE RUSTED OFF AND FELL OF WHEN DRIVING AND SHOCK MOUNTS ALSO BROKE DUE TO RUST. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10703266
105,000 miles · Mar 3, 2015
StructureTires
THE SPARE TIRE MOUNTED UNDER THE BED RUSTED OFF AND FELL OFF UNTO THE HIGHWAY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10691910
96,405 miles · Jul 28, 2014
Tires
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER EQUIPPED WITH COOPER COBRA RADIAL G/T TIRES, SIZE P225/60R15. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHIMMY AND THEN SPUN OUT OF CONTROL IN CIRCLES ON THE HIGHWAY. THE POLICE OFFICER NOTICED THAT THE TIRE TREAD WAS COMPLETELY SEPARATED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER EQUIPPED WITH COOPER COBRA RADIAL G/T TIRES, SIZE P225/60R15. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHIMMY AND THEN SPUN OUT OF CONTROL IN CIRCLES ON THE HIGHWAY. THE POLICE OFFICER NOTICED THAT THE TIRE TREAD WAS COMPLETELY SEPARATED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06T016000 (TIRES). THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,405.
NHTSA ODI #10617001
38,000 miles · Aug 8, 2012
TiresWheelsCrashInjury
TRAVELING EAST ON INTERSTATE 10 WEST OF INDIO, CA WHEN THE KUMHO SOLIS K21 REAR PASSENGER TIRE EXPLODED. RANGER PICKUP SWAYED BACK AND FORTH UNTIL THE PICKUP WENT DOWN A 15' EMBANKMENT. ROLLED AT LEAST 3 TIMES WITH INJURIES TO BOTH PASSENGERS. THE PICKUP WAS A TOTAL LOSS. TIRE WAS PURCHASE 11/22/2010 AND WAS A P225/70R-15. *…
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TRAVELING EAST ON INTERSTATE 10 WEST OF INDIO, CA WHEN THE KUMHO SOLIS K21 REAR PASSENGER TIRE EXPLODED. RANGER PICKUP SWAYED BACK AND FORTH UNTIL THE PICKUP WENT DOWN A 15' EMBANKMENT. ROLLED AT LEAST 3 TIMES WITH INJURIES TO BOTH PASSENGERS. THE PICKUP WAS A TOTAL LOSS. TIRE WAS PURCHASE 11/22/2010 AND WAS A P225/70R-15. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10469630
40,000 miles · May 17, 2007
Tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT HAS GOODYEAR WRANGLER RTS TIRES ON HIS VEHICLE. HE REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE HAS A CRACK NEAR THE BEAD AND SIDEWALL. HE FEELS THAT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE TIRE CAN BLOW OUT AT ANYTIME. THE TIRE HAS APPRO…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT HAS GOODYEAR WRANGLER RTS TIRES ON HIS VEHICLE. HE REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE HAS A CRACK NEAR THE BEAD AND SIDEWALL. HE FEELS THAT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE TIRE CAN BLOW OUT AT ANYTIME. THE TIRE HAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000 MILES. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES. THE TIRE DOT NUMBER AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 80,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF UPDATED *JB
NHTSA ODI #10191010
Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2006
Tires
MY 2001 XLT HAD THE FACTORY FIRESTONE WILDERNESS HT TIRE SIDE WALL BLEW OUT ON THE FREEWAY. I ALMOST LOST CONTROL. THE TRUCK ONLY HAS 053265 MILES ON IT, THE TIRE TREAD WAS GOOD AND TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED AND BALANCE EVERY 6000 MILES. I E-MAILED FORD AND FIRESTONE, I HAVE PICTURES OF THE TIRE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10162276
6,000 miles · Apr 7, 2006
Tires
GOODYEAR WRANGLER RT/S FRONT TIRES CUPPING BADLY, RECOMMENDED TIRE ROTATION CAUSED ALL FOUR TIRES TO BE BADLY CUPPED RESULTING IN SERIOUS VIBRATION AND DIFFICULTY IN CONTROL ON WET OR ICY SURFACES. INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. TIRES WERE A REPLACEMENT BY FORD OF FIRESTONE TIRES WHICH WERE OEM. IT SEEM…
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GOODYEAR WRANGLER RT/S FRONT TIRES CUPPING BADLY, RECOMMENDED TIRE ROTATION CAUSED ALL FOUR TIRES TO BE BADLY CUPPED RESULTING IN SERIOUS VIBRATION AND DIFFICULTY IN CONTROL ON WET OR ICY SURFACES. INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. TIRES WERE A REPLACEMENT BY FORD OF FIRESTONE TIRES WHICH WERE OEM. IT SEEMS THAT TIRE FAILURE OR ACCIDENTS MAY WELL RESULT WITH THE CUPPING OF GOODYEAR TIRES. FORD DEALER SAYS TIRES ARE DEFECTIVE BUT THE WARRANTY HAS RUN OUT AND FORD IS NOT RESPONSIBLE. FORD DEALER (TASCA FORD CRANSTON, RI) RECOMMENDED ALL TIRES BE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE! THESE TIRES HAVE ONLY 14,000 MILES ON THEM! *JB
NHTSA ODI #10154786
55,934 miles · Mar 17, 2006
Tires
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE VIBRATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ADDITIONALLY, THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT OF RECALL CAMPAIGN # 01X001000, CONCERNING THE TIRES. HOWEVER, THE DEALER DID NOT REPLACE THE TIRES UNDER THIS RECALL; THEY SUGGESTED THE …
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE VIBRATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ADDITIONALLY, THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT OF RECALL CAMPAIGN # 01X001000, CONCERNING THE TIRES. HOWEVER, THE DEALER DID NOT REPLACE THE TIRES UNDER THIS RECALL; THEY SUGGESTED THE CONTACT FILE A SAFETY COMPLAINT. UPDATED 04/11/06. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10152967
47,000 miles · Jan 16, 2005
Tires
ON FEBRUARY 27,2004, I PURCHASED FOUR (4) NEW TIRES (HOOSIER TIRES - DOT ADYK 9J0037) FROM A K&D OFFROAD AUTO ACCESSORIES,702 S.COLLINS STREET, PLANT CITY FLORIDA, 33563 (MIKE TAYLOR-OWNER). ELEVEN MONTHS LATER (JANUARY 15, 2005), MY VEHICLE SHOWED SIGNS OF SEVERE TIRE VIBRATION IN THE RIDE AND HANDLING. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY…
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ON FEBRUARY 27,2004, I PURCHASED FOUR (4) NEW TIRES (HOOSIER TIRES - DOT ADYK 9J0037) FROM A K&D OFFROAD AUTO ACCESSORIES,702 S.COLLINS STREET, PLANT CITY FLORIDA, 33563 (MIKE TAYLOR-OWNER). ELEVEN MONTHS LATER (JANUARY 15, 2005), MY VEHICLE SHOWED SIGNS OF SEVERE TIRE VIBRATION IN THE RIDE AND HANDLING. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST TIRE SERVICE COMPANY, LONG TIRE & AUTO SERVICE (AUTHORIZED GOODYEAR DEALER) AND WAS TOLD THAT BOTH FRONT TIRES SHOWED TIRE SEPARATION AND ALL FOUR (4) TIRES HAD CRACKING AS A RESULT OF DRY ROT FOR AGE. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THE TIRES WERE ORIGINALLY MANUFACTURED IN 1997, APPARENTLY, SEVEN (7) YEARS BEFORE THEY WERE SOLD TO ME AS NEW TIRES IN 2004. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10106428
Official recalls
4Oct 13, 2009
FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
Aug 3, 2007
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
Jul 16, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND MINIVANS. EQUIPPED WITH SEAT BELTS SUPPLIED BY TRW. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE DRIVER'S AND/OR FRONT PASSENGER'S OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLE MAY NOT FULLY LATCH. FORD CROWN VICTORIA BUILT AT ST. THOMAS ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 5/29/01 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS BUILT AT ST. THOMAS ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 5/29/01. LINCOLN TOWN CARS BUILT AT WIXOM ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 3/27/00 - 5/30/01. LINCOLN NAVIGATORS BUILT AT MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 4/11/00 - 5/31/01. FORD WINDSTARS BUILT AT OAKVILLE ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 3/23/00 - 5/30/01. FORD RANGERS BUILT AT TWIN CITIES PLANT FROM 3/28/00 - 5/30/01, AND ALSO AT THE EDISON PLANT FROM 3/13/00 - 5/25/01. FORD F-150 TRUCK BUILT AT NORFOLK PLANT FROM 4/18/00 - 5/25/00; AT ONTARIO PLANT FROM 5/10/00 - 5/28/01; AT KANSAS CITY PLANT FROM 9/11/99 - 5/25/01; AND AT CUAUTITLAN PLANT FROM 5/16/00 - 6/9/01. FORD SUPER DUTY F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS BUILT AT KENTUCKY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 5/27/01; AND AT CUAUTITLAN PLANT FROM 5/16/00 - 6/19/01. FORD EXCURSIONS BUILT AT KENTUCKY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 10/2/00. FORD EXPEDITIONS BUILT AT MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 4/11/00 - 5/31/01.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM MAY NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE OCCUPANT PROTECTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLES AND IF THE BUCKLE FAILS THE INSPECTION PROCESS, IT WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 25, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
Nov 28, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH STEEL HOODS AND CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SHEET MOLDING COMPOUND HOODS. A WIRE FORMED HOOD STRIKER COULD BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FATIGUE FRACTURES. IF THE HOOD STRIKER FRACTURES, THE HOOD COULD FLY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A HOOD FLY-UP WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED COULD RESULT IN REDUCED DRIVER VISIBILITY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HOOD STRIKER.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2EA05004 · Front Seat Belt Buckle Assembly
Opened Feb 17, 2005 · Closed Jul 6, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts; Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
DURING THE INITIAL RECALL CAMPAIGN IN 2001, THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE INSPECTED BY FORD DEALERSHIPS USING A TEST TOOL THAT WOULD DETECT A DEFECTIVE FRONT SEAT OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY.APPROXIMATELY ONE MILLION VEHICLES PASSED THE INSPECTION TEST FOR ONE OR BOTH FRONT BUCKLES.SUBSEQUENT TO THE RECALL SERVICE ACTION, ODI RECEIVED 15 CONSUMER REPORTS ALLEGING THAT A PASSED INSPECTION BUCKLE SUBSEQUENTLY FAILED TO LATCH OR INADVERTENTLY UNLATCHED DURING USE.IN ADDITION, FORD HAS IDENTIFIED 543 OWNER AND FIELD REPORTS ALLEGING BUCKLE FAILURE SUBSEQUENT TO PASSING THE INSPECTION TEST.FORD TESTED AND EXAMINED OVER 100 WARRANTY-RETURNED BUCKLES AND FOUND THAT 44% OF THE BUCKLES HAD NO PROBLEM OR A CONDITION NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL INSPECTION (NON-LATCH RELATED BUCKLE DAMAGE OR FOREIGN CONTAMINATION).WARRANTY CLAIMS WERE HIGHEST DURING THE 18-MONTH PERIOD AFTER THE START OF THE RECALL (JULY 2001) AND HAVE BEEN DECLINING DURING THE PAST 24 MONTHS.OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS, FORD HAS RECEIVED APPROXIMATELY 12 WARRANTY CLAIMS PER MONTH OUT OF A VEHICLE POPULATION OF ABOUT ONE MILLION.COMPLAINTS COUNTS ARE ALSO DECREASING.DURING THE PAST SEVEN MONTHS, ODI HAS RECEIVED ONLY TWO COMPLAINTS. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Seat Belts
DURING THE INITIAL RECALL CAMPAIGN IN 2001, THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE INSPECTED BY FORD DEALERSHIPS USING A TEST TOOL THAT WOULD DETECT A DEFECTIVE FRONT SEAT OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY.APPROXIMATELY ONE MILLION VEHICLES PASSED THE INSPECTION TEST FOR ONE OR BOTH FRONT BUCKLES.SUBSEQUENT TO THE RECALL SERVICE ACTION, ODI RECEIVED 15 CONSUMER REPORTS ALLEGING THAT A PASSED INSPECTION BUCKLE SUBSEQUENTLY FAILED TO LATCH OR INADVERTENTLY UNLATCHED DURING USE.IN ADDITION, FORD HAS IDENTIFIED 543 OWNER AND FIELD REPORTS ALLEGING BUCKLE FAILURE SUBSEQUENT TO PASSING THE INSPECTION TEST.FORD TESTED AND EXAMINED OVER 100 WARRANTY-RETURNED BUCKLES AND FOUND THAT 44% OF THE BUCKLES HAD NO PROBLEM OR A CONDITION NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL INSPECTION (NON-LATCH RELATED BUCKLE DAMAGE OR FOREIGN CONTAMINATION).WARRANTY CLAIMS WERE HIGHEST DURING THE 18-MONTH PERIOD AFTER THE START OF THE RECALL (JULY 2001) AND HAVE BEEN DECLINING DURING THE PAST 24 MONTHS.OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS, FORD HAS RECEIVED APPROXIMATELY 12 WARRANTY CLAIMS PER MONTH OUT OF A VEHICLE POPULATION OF ABOUT ONE MILLION.COMPLAINTS COUNTS ARE ALSO DECREASING.DURING THE PAST SEVEN MONTHS, ODI HAS RECEIVED ONLY TWO COMPLAINTS. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
DURING THE INITIAL RECALL CAMPAIGN IN 2001, THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE INSPECTED BY FORD DEALERSHIPS USING A TEST TOOL THAT WOULD DETECT A DEFECTIVE FRONT SEAT OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY.APPROXIMATELY ONE MILLION VEHICLES PASSED THE INSPECTION TEST FOR ONE OR BOTH FRONT BUCKLES.SUBSEQUENT TO THE RECALL SERVICE ACTION, ODI RECEIVED 15 CONSUMER REPORTS ALLEGING THAT A PASSED INSPECTION BUCKLE SUBSEQUENTLY FAILED TO LATCH OR INADVERTENTLY UNLATCHED DURING USE.IN ADDITION, FORD HAS IDENTIFIED 543 OWNER AND FIELD REPORTS ALLEGING BUCKLE FAILURE SUBSEQUENT TO PASSING THE INSPECTION TEST.FORD TESTED AND EXAMINED OVER 100 WARRANTY-RETURNED BUCKLES AND FOUND THAT 44% OF THE BUCKLES HAD NO PROBLEM OR A CONDITION NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL INSPECTION (NON-LATCH RELATED BUCKLE DAMAGE OR FOREIGN CONTAMINATION).WARRANTY CLAIMS WERE HIGHEST DURING THE 18-MONTH PERIOD AFTER THE START OF THE RECALL (JULY 2001) AND HAVE BEEN DECLINING DURING THE PAST 24 MONTHS.OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS, FORD HAS RECEIVED APPROXIMATELY 12 WARRANTY CLAIMS PER MONTH OUT OF A VEHICLE POPULATION OF ABOUT ONE MILLION.COMPLAINTS COUNTS ARE ALSO DECREASING.DURING THE PAST SEVEN MONTHS, ODI HAS RECEIVED ONLY TWO COMPLAINTS. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
RQ04011 · Front Seat Belt Buckle Assembly
Opened Oct 22, 2004 · Closed Feb 17, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN (01V227), FORD RECALLED APPROXIMATELY 1.3 MILLION VEHICLES TO INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE FRONT DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE.APPROXIMATELY 1.1 MILLION OWNERS RESPONDED BY TAKING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION OF THE BUCKLE USING A SPECIALIZED BUCKLE TEST TOOL.FORD REPORTED THAT 829,927 VEHICLES HAD BOTH BUCKLES PASS THE TOOL TEST AND ANOTHER 167,336 VEHICLES HAD ONE BUCKLE PASS.ODI AND FORD RECEIVED COMPLAINTS ALLEGING SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE SHORTLY AFTER PASSING THE ORIGINAL RECALL INSPECTION SERVICE.COMPLAINANTS ALLEGED THAT THE BUCKLE FAILED BY EITHER NOT LATCHING OR FALSE-LATCHING (PARTIAL ENGAGEMENT OF THE LATCH TO THE LATCH PLATE).A FALSE-LATCHED BUCKLE MAY RELEASE WITH MINOR MOVEMENT OR IMPACT AGAINST THE BUCKLE HOUSING INCLUDING INADVERTENT RELEASE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.ODI IS UPGRADING THIS RECALL QUERY TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA05-004) TO FURTHER ANALYZE THE FIELD PERFORMANCE OF THOSE VEHICLES THAT FORD DEALERS PASSED (ONE OR BOTH BUCKLES) USING FORD'S INSPECTION TEST (997,263 VEHICLES).
Illustration